Port Washington, NY – Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano joined the owners of R Best Produce Inc. at a ceremony to celebrate the grand opening of the company’s new corporate headquarters and warehouse in Port Washington, a move made possible by the assistance of the county executive 's economic development team.
The company purchased a building in Port Washington after 32 years in the Hunts Point Market and moved more than 50 jobs to Nassau County – with a plan to create 12 more within three years.
“My policies of freezing County property taxes and removing bureaucratic red tape are working as companies like R Best are moving to Nassau County and creating new jobs,” said County Executive Mangano. “With my economic development team, we have created and retain 19,000 private sector jobs and Nassau County now leads the State of New York in terms of job growth. Together, we are create new jobs and opportunities, attracting new businesses, and putting residents back to work in Nassau County.”
R Best, a wholesale produce distributor that supplies fruits and vegetables to independent supermarkets and various chain stores, was unable to renew its lease in the Bronx and considered other sites in the Bronx and New Jersey — all with economic incentives — before deciding to move to Nassau County.
Philip Delprete, chairman and chief operating officer of R Best, said, “I want to thank County Executive Ed Mangano help in making this happen.” He added, “We’re happy to be here. There’s not a better place for a business to be than on the Gold Coast. This is a much better environment than what we were in and its location will help us to attract high-quality employees.”
R Best, which shares ownership with the Uncle Giuseppe, Italian themed gourmet supermarket chain, is using the building for its headquarters and for distribution. A new 70,000-square-foot warehouse constructed within the Port Washington building is capable of maintaining multiple climate zones, allowing R-Best to store products at temperatures and humidity levels that are optimum for each specific product category.
R Best, which supplies independent supermarkets, restaurants and institutions, recently added Fresh Market, soon-to-open in Woodbury as a customer and also is selling fresh produce grown on Long Island, Delprete said.
About the Nassau County IDA The Nassau County Industrial Development Agency consists of a team of professionals whose mission is to promote the economic welfare and prosperity of Nassau County. It is a resource for businesses in Nassau County and those considering relocation. The IDA provides assistance to businesses interested in relocating, expanding and financing new investments. It has provided assistance to a wide range of companies, from Arizona Iced Tea and Sleepy’s Mattress to Cold Spring Harbor Labs and Grumman Studios. For more information, please visit www.nassauida.org or call 516-571-1945.
PHOTO: Pictured with Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano (third from right) are: R Best Produce’s Philip DelPrete and his wife Gail, their daughters Mary and Melissa; Roy Smitheimer, Town of North Hempstead Economic Development Specialist; Jasmine Heines, R Best event coordinator; Harry Rios, Sales and Marketing; Town of North Hempstead Councilwoman Dina De Giorgio; Joe Kearney, executive director of the Nassau County Industrial Development Agency.
Source: R Best Produce Inc.
